2000 Photo Contest, Spot News, Stories, 1st prize

Photographer

John Stanmeyer

Saba Press Photos for Time

01 November, 1999

Students deface posters of President Habibie prior to October presidential elections.

During the elections, the first news to spread among crowds waiting for the result was that the popular Megawati Sukarnoputri had won. Supporters' jubilation turned sour when they learned the true result, that parliament had chosen Muslim leader Abdurraham Wahid as president. The street violence that broke out as the election result became known died down only after Megawati herself appealed for calm, and when it was made known that she was to be vice-president.